Sarah Hill is hoping for an even better result in the second Trailseeker race at Legends MX in Pretoria this weekend after finishing second in the opening round at Buffelsdrift last month.
The Galileo Risk rider said her achievement last month was unexpected.
“There was quite a strong field and I had no expectations after joBerg2c as my legs were so tired. I’m hoping to feel better and then be able to perform better, but performance and results are two different things.
Galileo Risk’s Sarah Hill, who placed second in the opening round of the Trailseeker race in Buffelsdrift last month, said she was aiming for an even better performance in this weekend’s event at Legends MX. Photo: Chamain van Zyl
“You can perform really well, but then have a worse result as there are lots of competitive people out there. I’m hoping, just like in the last race, to hold on and follow everybody, whoever is in the lead, and race a little bit defensively.”
She added that she would feel her way along as it was a marathon race and she was not that confident in that type of racing.
“I mean second place at Trailseeker is so awesome. So to do something like that again would be the coolest thing ever. But I don’t have too many expectations of myself as we just don’t know who is going to be there.”
The first race was won by marathon mountain-biker Robyn de Groot, and Hill said she felt privileged to ride behind someone of her vast experience.
“She won it fair and square and was the stronger rider from the start. I have so much respect for her and it was an honour to ride behind her.
“She’s smart, uses her energy and burns her matches at the right places and knows when to attack, which is something I’m still learning in every single race.”
Hill added that she had not raced at Legends MX before, whereas Buffelsdrift she had, so she knew exactly where everybody was going to sprint.
“If I ever cross the line in first place it would be so cool. I believe I have a while until I get there, but I’m one of those racers who is just always there [in the mix].
“I think a lot of the top women are slowly getting a bit anxious, because every race I’m a little bit closer.
“Just like last weekend, if someone has a mechanical or someone makes a mistake I’m right there to take that position. I’m very much an ankle-biter this year and I really am enjoying it.”
Hill said this race was going to be special as her riding partner Theresa Ralph would also be there.
“Despite us racing against each other, we’re very much teammates. I look out for her and she looks out for me all the time.
“Coming into this race I think we’ll be the only ‘team’ and that puts us on a different level. People are aware that we look out for each other and we keep each other fast and excited. We want to lead the race together and I’d love to sprint her in the finish.”
Hill finished third in the elite women’s race at the fourth SA MTB Cup Series XCO event at Mankele MTB Park in Mbombela last weekend, where she focused on her consistency.
“I had a great race and I was super chuffed. I’m feeling good going into this weekend, but again have no expectations.
“I’ll show up, see who’s there, see what kind of profile we have, how many metres of climbing [there are], where the significant climbs are and just ride and see how my legs feel.
“If the legs don’t feel so good then I won’t be able to dish out many cards. If I have strong legs, then I’ll be able to perform or try following an attack or even maybe create one, we never know.”
She felt the biggest thing she needed to do to achieve consistent top results was to keep up with her consistent training.
“I just need to keep on going, keep coming back and keep trying. Every year you’re trying to improve different aspects of your racing and you train different elements of yourself.
“Particularly [you’re] focusing on your weaknesses as you’re trying to make everything a strength of yours, but of course no one is that balanced.”
